Sentencing deferred for Mark Anthony Stevens after pleading guilty to attempted murder
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Sentencing has been deferred for 38-year-old Belizean-American Mark Anthony Stevens, who has pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Juan Carlos Rios Pineda. Stevens appeared before Justice Nigel Pilgrim for mitigation on Friday, July 3, 2026, after his guilty plea was entered and accepted by the court on June 12, […] The post Sentencing deferred for Mark Anthony Stevens after pleading guilty to attempted murder appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Black News 
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Sentencing has been deferred for 38-year-old Belizean-American Mark Anthony Stevens, who has pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Juan Carlos Rios Pineda.
Stevens appeared before Justice Nigel Pilgrim for mitigation on Friday, July 3, 2026, after his guilty plea was entered and accepted by the court on June 12, 2026. Sentencing was set for Monday, July 6, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.
During mitigation, however, the court heard that a record had surfaced alleging that Stevens had a conviction in the United States for rape. Stevens, who is represented by attorney Norman Rodriguez, denied having such a conviction and challenged the Crown to prove that the record belongs to him.
Justice Pilgrim ordered the Crown to provide the court with all relevant materials before sentencing.
Stevens pleaded guilty in relation to an incident that occurred on Saturday night, June 8, 2024, inside the Lord Ridge Cemetery. According to the agreed facts, Pineda was outside when he saw Stevens running toward him with a knife. Pineda ran, but Stevens caught up with him and stabbed him multiple times.
The court heard that while attacking Pineda, Stevens reportedly told him, “I am going to kill you. I hope you die.”
Pineda later positively identified Stevens during an identification parade.
In a victim impact statement dated June 12, 2026, Pineda told the court that he feared for his life during the attack and continues to suffer emotionally and physically. He said he has difficulty sleeping, experiences flashbacks, and remains fearful, adding that he wants justice and hopes Stevens does not harm anyone else.
Attorney Rodriguez asked the court for mercy and assisted with the mitigating and aggravating factors. The court also heard that Stevens has a previous conviction for assaulting a police officer, stemming from February 2023.
The post Sentencing deferred for Mark Anthony Stevens after pleading guilty to attempted murder appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
